Source: Love Mac | Software download link: Audirvana Plus for Mac
Audirvana Plus is a high-fidelity (Hi-Fi) audio playback software designed specifically for macOS. It is renowned among audiophiles for its exceptional audio rendering engine, perfect support for high-resolution audio formats, and optimized playback modes aimed at reducing system interference. This guide will provide an in-depth analysis of its interface, complete workflow, and usage tips.
I. Detailed Explanation of the Core Interface and Workspace
The interface design of Audirvana Plus is clean and focused, mainly divided into the following core areas:
- Main Menu Bar (Top): Contains standard Mac application menus (such as Audirvana, File, Edit, Playback, etc.), where all software settings and advanced features are located.
- Navigation Sidebar (Left):
- Library: Displays all imported music files, which can be browsed by album, artist, genre, composer, etc.
- Playlists: Manage static and smart playlists created by the user.
- Network Audio: Access and browse content from configured UPnP/DLNA media servers or streaming services (such as Qobuz, Tidal).
- Main content area (center): Displays the corresponding album list, track list, or network service content based on the selection in the left sidebar.
- Playback control bar (bottom):
- Left side: Playback mode switching (sequential, shuffle, single-track repeat), previous/next track buttons.
- Center: Prominent play/pause button, along with a playback progress bar accurate to the sample point and time display.
- Right side: Volume control, audio device selection dropdown menu, current playback quality display (e.g., PCM 192kHz / 24bit), DSD playback mode indicator.
- Playback queue and info panel: Click the “Queue” icon on the right side of the bottom control bar to pop up the current playback queue. Double-click the currently playing track or album cover to pop up an info panel containing detailed metadata, spectrum analysis (must be enabled), and lyrics.
II. Complete Workflow: From Launch to Listening
1. Initial Setup and Music Library Import
Step 1: Add Music Folders
After launching for the first time, you need to add the folders where your music is stored to the Audirvana library.
After launching for the first time, you need to add the folders where your music is stored to the Audirvana library.
- Click the menu bar
Audirvana>Preferences...(shortcutCmd + ,). - Switch to the “Library” tab.
- Click the “+” button in the lower-left corner and select the folder where your music files are stored (e.g., the “Music” folder or a specific folder on an external hard drive).
- The software will automatically scan the folder and its subfolders, and import all supported audio files (FLAC, ALAC, DSD, WAV, AIFF, MQA, etc.) into the library.
Step 2: Audio Device and Sound Quality Settings
To ensure the best playback performance, you need to configure the audio output.
To ensure the best playback performance, you need to configure the audio output.
- In “Preferences,” switch to the “Audio Device” tab.
- From the “Device” drop-down menu, select your external DAC or built-in audio interface.
- Check “Exclusive Access Mode” and “Direct Mode” (if your device supports it). These two options ensure that Audirvana bypasses the macOS Core Audio system and controls the hardware directly for the purest signal possible.
- On the “Audio Effects” tab, you can configure sample rate conversion (SRC) or upsampling options according to your preferences (optional, intended for advanced users).
2. Playing Music
Step 3: Browsing and Selecting Music
Select “Library” in the left sidebar, then browse your music collection using the filter options at the top (such as “Albums” and “Artists”). Click any album cover or artist name to enter the detailed view.
Select “Library” in the left sidebar, then browse your music collection using the filter options at the top (such as “Albums” and “Artists”). Click any album cover or artist name to enter the detailed view.
Step 4: Start Playback
- Play a single track/album: Double-click any song in the track list to start playing. If you double-click an album cover, the entire album will play.
- Add to Play Queue: Right-click a track or album, select “Add to End of Queue” or “Play Next” for flexible playback scheduling.
- Playback Controls: Use the bottom control bar or global shortcuts (see table below) to control play/pause (
Space), skip tracks (Cmd + Left/Right Arrow).
3. Creating and Managing Playlists
Step 5: Create a Static Playlist
Click the “+” below “Playlists” in the left sidebar and enter a playlist name. Then drag albums or tracks from your library into the newly created playlist.
Click the “+” below “Playlists” in the left sidebar and enter a playlist name. Then drag albums or tracks from your library into the newly created playlist.
Step 6: Create a Smart Playlist
Right-click in the “Playlists” area and select “New Smart Playlist…”. You can set complex rules (e.g., “stream contains ‘Classical’ AND sample rate > 96kHz”) to automatically gather matching tracks; the playlist contents will dynamically change as your library updates.
Right-click in the “Playlists” area and select “New Smart Playlist…”. You can set complex rules (e.g., “stream contains ‘Classical’ AND sample rate > 96kHz”) to automatically gather matching tracks; the playlist contents will dynamically change as your library updates.
4. Playing Network Streaming Media (Using Qobuz/Tidal Integration as an Example)
Step 7: Add a Streaming Service
Go to the “Streaming Services” tab in “Preferences” and log in to your Qobuz or Tidal account. Once logged in successfully, the service will appear under “Network Audio” in the left sidebar.
Go to the “Streaming Services” tab in “Preferences” and log in to your Qobuz or Tidal account. Once logged in successfully, the service will appear under “Network Audio” in the left sidebar.
Step 8: Browse and Play
Click the service name under “Network Audio” to browse the streaming catalog just like your local library, and perform actions such as playback and adding to queue. Audirvana will stream in its original quality (e.g., Hi-Res).
Click the service name under “Network Audio” to browse the streaming catalog just like your local library, and perform actions such as playback and adding to queue. Audirvana will stream in its original quality (e.g., Hi-Res).
